In my email today was this sage advice about reading from Eddy Hood. With his website and podcast, he provides a wide variety of support, particularly for adults, on how to become a better reader.

“Becoming a reader takes patience. It’s no different than going to the gym, eating healthy, or waking up early. When we try and do things that are “good for us,” we often start with the best of intentions, but then a few days in, find ourselves in the pantry surreptitiously eating entire bags of Oreos (guilty as charged). 

When that happens, start again. You might think you’re doomed to never read a book the way you did as a child – that your focus is just too frazzled to sit through a 500-page book. But here’s the secret – it’s hard for all of us. 

The truly great readers have one thing in common: they’re good at starting again. It’s a skill. Instead of hating ourselves for messing up, we flex that repetitive muscle and get back in the boat. It’s the people who are good at starting over that eventually get the gold. 

You can do this. Pick up your book, and try again. 

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.”